Where Do You Find Refuge?

November 04, 2023

By Brooke Holt

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:1-2

Where do you find refuge in trying times? When viruses threaten our world, civil unrest threatens to destroy the fabric of society, when war seems imminent, or when you see your children or a loved one struggle – to whom or what do you look for your solace and hope?

Moses addressed this question throughout Psalm 90. Moses was rescued as an infant, raised in the Pharaoh’s house, rejected by his people and then by Pharaoh, exiled to the desert for forty years, then called back to Egypt to lead the nation of Israel out of their bondage – Moses personally experienced many challenges and difficult circumstances.

As God’s appointed leader for the Israelites, Moses quickly learned what it meant to find refuge in the Lord. Speaking of the entire nation, he declared that the Lord is their dwelling place. The very presence of the Lord with Moses and the Israelites set them apart. God’s presence and might made the way for their deliverance, provided food and water in the desert, and guided them along the way.

Yahweh was Israel’s God, the very one who revealed himself to Abraham and made a covenant promising Abraham’s children would outnumber the stars. In the covenant God made with Abraham, God promised his descendants would dwell in that land shown to him. Not only was Israel’s God one who kept his covenants, but he was the only eternal God. Before the world existed, God did, and his hands fashioned the mountains, the sky, the sea, and all that lived upon the earth. Israel’s God was also the Creator God.

Who better to turn to and trust than the God who is a covenant keeper, who is eternal in his being and knowledge, and who created everything in the heavens and on the earth? Moses understood mankind was inclined to put their trust in many gods, in men like themselves, and in the work of their hands. He saw it in Egyptian society as well in the nation of Israel’s worship of the golden calf. Yet, those gods proved no match for Yahweh, the true God. Moses saw the Lord overpower and overcome those gods in the ten plagues. There simply was no one else like Israel’s God. The Lord was the only true refuge in this world.

Are you looking to the Lord as your refuge today? Just as in Moses’ day, many lesser gods surround you to whom you can turn to in times of need or to take away your pain. Yet, the truth remains – you will find true refuge in God alone. He is still the eternal God, from everlasting to everlasting, the one who created the heavens and the earth, and the one who has never forgotten and will never forget his promises.

Reflection:

Ask the Lord what it means for him to be your refuge and dwelling place today. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resources:

Awaken the awe and the wonder of Advent! “The King Is Coming” is a 4-week Advent devotional especially written with a child’s heart in mind. It takes families through the salvation story by focusing on who God is, the gift of Jesus, and the importance of celebrating and sharing that miraculous gift! Bring your family together this Advent season for a journey exploring God’s big love for you.

See all our Advent resources here.